CN118259775A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

According to a disclosed embodiment, a display device includes: a sensor driver that receives firmware from a host in which the firmware is stored, the sensor driver comprising: a second memory storing firmware supplied from the host and updated when a reset signal is supplied from the host; and a sensing unit for supplying a restoration signal corresponding to an abnormal state of the sensor driver to the host while sensing at least one of an internal voltage and a clock signal of the sensor driver.

Description

Display device

The present application claims priority and ownership of korean patent application No. 10-2022-0187724, filed on 28 of 12 months of 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The disclosure relates to a display device and a method of driving the same.

Background

With the development of information technology, importance of a display device as a connection medium between a user and information has been paid attention. In response to this, the use of display devices such as liquid crystal display devices and organic light emitting display devices is increasing.

The display device includes an application processor and a sensor driver. The sensor driver senses the touch input and the application processor provides firmware so that the sensor driver can be driven.

The sensor driver may store the firmware provided from the application processor in the flash memory and update the firmware stored in the flash memory to the RAM.

When flash memory is removed from the sensor driver to reduce costs, firmware may be updated directly from the application processor to the RAM of the sensor driver. Meanwhile, when the sensor driver is abnormally driven, the application processor may supply the firmware again after resetting the sensor driver, and in this case, touch input is not sensed during a predetermined time.

Disclosure of Invention

The disclosed object is to provide a display device and a method of driving the same capable of sensing an operation of a sensor driver using a sensing unit positioned inside the sensor driver.

The disclosed object is to provide a display device and a method of driving the same, which are capable of supplying a resume signal using a resume channel when a sensor driver is abnormally driven and rapidly receiving firmware from an application processor in response to the resume signal.

According to a disclosed embodiment, a display device includes: the sensor driver receives firmware from a host in which the firmware is stored. The sensor driver includes: a second memory storing firmware supplied from the host and initialized when a reset signal is supplied from the host; and a sensing unit for supplying a restoration signal corresponding to an abnormal state of the sensor driver to the host while sensing at least one of an internal voltage and a clock signal of the sensor driver.

According to an embodiment, the recovery signal is supplied from the sensor driver to an application processor provided in the host through a recovery channel, and the recovery channel includes: a first terminal included in the host and receiving a restoration signal; and a second terminal included in the sensor driver and outputting a restoration signal.

According to an embodiment, the host includes an application processor that sequentially supplies the reset signal and the firmware to the sensor driver when the restoration signal is input.

According to an embodiment, the host comprises an application processor that supplies firmware to the sensor driver when the resume signal is input.

According to an embodiment, the host comprises a first memory, the first memory being a non-volatile memory and the second memory being a volatile memory.

According to an embodiment, a sensing unit includes: an internal voltage determiner for receiving an internal voltage and generating a restoration signal when the internal voltage is not within a first range; and a clock signal determiner for receiving the clock signal and generating a recovery signal when the frequency of the clock signal is not within the second range.

According to an embodiment, a first threshold value corresponding to the first range and a second threshold value corresponding to the second range are stored in the second memory.

According to an embodiment, the first threshold value and the second threshold value are stored in a first memory in which firmware is stored, and supplied to the second memory together with the firmware.

According to an embodiment, the host comprises an application processor comprising a first memory.

According to an embodiment, the reset signal is supplied via a reset channel.

According to an embodiment, the host comprises an application processor that uses the communication channel to supply firmware stored in a first memory in the host to a second memory.

According to an embodiment, the sensor driver further comprises a touch controller for generating the touch signal by dividing the clock signal.

According to an embodiment, the display device further includes: a display driver for generating a data signal corresponding to data supplied from an application processor in the host; and a panel displaying a predetermined image in response to a data signal supplied from the display driver.

According to a disclosed embodiment, a display device includes: an application processor; a sensor driver for sensing a touch input; a communication channel connected between the application processor and the sensor driver for transmitting and receiving data; a reset channel connected between the application processor and the sensor driver for transmitting a reset signal corresponding to initialization of the sensor driver; and a restoration channel connected between the application processor and the sensor driver for transmitting a restoration signal corresponding to an abnormal state of the sensor driver.

According to an embodiment, when the internal voltage or clock signal of the sensor driver is not within a predetermined range, a reset signal is supplied from the application processor to the sensor driver, and a recovery signal is supplied from the sensor driver to the application processor.

According to an embodiment, recovering the channel comprises: a first terminal included in the application processor and receiving a restoration signal; and a second terminal included in the sensor driver and outputting a restoration signal.

According to a disclosed embodiment, a method of driving a display device includes: sensing a touch input in a sensor driver; sensing at least one of an internal voltage of the sensor driver and a frequency of the clock signal; generating a restoration signal and transmitting the restoration signal to the application processor when the internal voltage is not within the first range or the frequency of the clock signal is not within the second range; and sequentially supplying the reset signal and the firmware from the application processor to the sensor driver.

According to an embodiment, after the sensor driver is initialized by the reset signal, the sensor driver loads the firmware.

According to an embodiment, a first threshold value corresponding to the first range and a second threshold value corresponding to the second range are supplied from the application processor to the sensor driver together with the firmware.

According to an embodiment, the restoration signal is transmitted through a restoration channel, which is different from a communication channel for transmitting and receiving data between the application processor and the sensor driver and a reset channel through which the reset signal is transmitted from the application processor to the sensor driver.

The objects disclosed are not limited to the above objects, and other technical objects not described will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to the display device and the method of driving the display device of the disclosed embodiments, the restoration signal may be supplied to the application processor in response to the abnormal driving of the sensor driver, thereby minimizing the abnormal driving time of the sensor driver.

However, the disclosed effects are not limited to the above-described effects, and various extensions can be made within a range not departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Drawings

The above and other features of the disclosure will become more apparent by describing the disclosed embodiments in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a display device according to a disclosed embodiment;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a sensor driver and host according to a disclosed embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the sense unit shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of an application processor and a sensor driver according to a disclosed embodiment;

fig. 5 is a diagram showing an operation procedure of the application processor and the sensor driver according to the comparative example;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of an application processor and a sensor driver in accordance with the disclosed embodiments;

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display unit and a display driver according to a disclosed embodiment;

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a pixel according to a disclosed embodiment; and

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating a method of driving the pixel of fig. 8.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the disclosure. The disclosure may be embodied in a variety of different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

For clarity of description of the disclosure, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted, and the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification. Accordingly, the above reference numerals may be used in other figures.

Further, for convenience of description, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown, and thus the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the size and thickness shown in the drawings. In the drawings, the thickness may be exaggerated to clearly show various layers and regions.

Furthermore, the expression "identical" in the specification may mean "substantially identical". That is, the expression "identical" may be sufficiently identical to a person of ordinary skill to understand that it is identical. Other expressions may also be expressions omitting the "basic".

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a display device according to a disclosed embodiment.

Referring to fig. 1, the display device 1 includes a panel 10 and a driving circuit unit 20 for driving the panel 10. The display apparatus 1 may be electrically connected to an application processor 30 provided in a host 40 (see fig. 2A or 2B). The application processor 30 may be included in the display device 1.

The panel 10 may include a display unit 110 for displaying an image, and a sensor unit 120 for sensing touch, pressure, fingerprint, hover, biometric information (or biometric features), etc. For example, the panel 10 may include pixels PX and sensors SC positioned to overlap at least a portion of the pixels PX. In an embodiment, the sensor SC may include a first sensor TX (or drive electrode) and a second sensor RX (or sense electrode). In another embodiment (e.g., in self-capacitance mode), the sensor SC may be configured as one type of sensor without distinguishing between the first sensor TX and the second sensor RX.

The driving circuit unit 20 may include a display driver (D-IC) 210 for driving the display unit 110 and a sensor driver (T-IC) 220 for driving the sensor unit 120. For example, the pixels PX may display images in units of display frame periods. For example, the sensor SC may sense an input of a user in units of a sensing frame period. The sensing frame period and the display frame period may be independent of each other and may be different from each other. The sensing frame period and the display frame period may be synchronous with each other or may be asynchronous.

According to an embodiment, the display unit 110 and the sensor unit 120 may be separately manufactured and then disposed and/or combined such that at least one region is overlapped with each other. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the display unit 110 and the sensor unit 120 may be integrally manufactured. For example, the sensor unit 120 may be directly formed on at least one substrate (e.g., an upper substrate and/or a lower substrate of a display panel or a thin film encapsulation layer) or other insulating layers or various functional layers (e.g., an optical layer or a protective layer) constituting the display unit 110.

Meanwhile, in fig. 1, the sensor unit 120 is disposed on a front surface (e.g., an upper surface on which an image is displayed) of the display unit 110, but the position of the sensor unit 120 is not limited thereto. For example, in another embodiment, the sensor unit 120 may be disposed on the rear surface or both surfaces of the display unit 110. In still another embodiment, the sensor unit 120 may be disposed in at least one edge region of the display unit 110.

The display unit 110 may include a display substrate 111 and a plurality of pixels PX formed on the display substrate 111. The pixels PX may be disposed in the display area DA of the display substrate 111.

The display substrate 111 may include a display area DA displaying an image and a non-display area NDA other than the display area DA. According to an embodiment, the display area DA may be disposed in a center area of the display unit 110, and the non-display area NDA may be disposed in an edge area of the display unit 110 to surround the display area DA.

The display substrate 111 may be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate, and the material or physical properties of the display substrate 111 are not particularly limited. For example, the display substrate 111 may be a rigid substrate composed of glass or tempered glass, or a flexible substrate composed of a thin film of plastic or metal material.

The scan lines SL, the data lines DL, and the pixels PX connected to the scan lines SL and the data lines DL are disposed in the display area DA. The pixel PX is selected by a scan signal having an on-level supplied from the scan line SL, receives a data signal from the data line DL, and emits light of a luminance corresponding to the data signal. Accordingly, an image corresponding to the data signal is displayed in the display area DA. In the disclosure, the structure, driving method, and the like of the pixel PX are not particularly limited. For example, each of the pixels PX may be implemented with pixels employing various currently known structures and driving methods.

In the non-display area NDA, various lines and/or built-in circuit units connected to the pixels PX of the display area DA may be provided. For example, a plurality of lines for supplying various power and control signals to the display area DA may be disposed in the non-display area NDA, and a scan driver or the like may be further disposed in the non-display area NDA.

In the disclosure, the type of the display unit 110 is not particularly limited. For example, the display unit 110 may be implemented as a self-emission type display panel such as an organic light emitting display panel. However, when the display unit 110 is implemented as a self-emission type, each of the pixels PX is not limited to a case of including only an organic light emitting element. For example, the light emitting element of each of the pixels PX may be constituted of an organic light emitting diode, an inorganic light emitting diode, a quantum dot/well light emitting diode, or the like. A plurality of light emitting elements may be provided in each of the pixels PX. The plurality of light emitting elements may be connected in series, parallel, series-parallel, or the like. Alternatively, the display unit 110 may be implemented as a non-emissive display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel. When the display unit 110 is implemented as a non-emissive type, the display apparatus 1 may additionally include a light source such as a backlight unit.

The sensor unit 120 includes a sensor substrate 121 and a plurality of sensors formed on the sensor substrate 121. The sensors may be disposed in the sensing area SA on the sensor substrate 121.

The sensor substrate 121 may include a sensing area SA in which a touch input or the like can be sensed and a peripheral area NSA other than the sensing area SA. According to an embodiment, the sensing area SA may be disposed to overlap at least one area of the display area DA. For example, the sensing region SA may be set to a region corresponding to the display region DA (e.g., a region overlapping the display region DA), and the peripheral region NSA may be set to a region corresponding to the non-display region NDA (e.g., a region overlapping the non-display region NDA). In this case, when a touch input or the like is provided in the display area DA, the touch input may be detected by the sensor unit 120.

The sensor substrate 121 may be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate, and may be composed of at least one insulating layer. Further, the sensor substrate 121 may be a transparent or semitransparent light-transmitting substrate, but is not limited thereto. That is, in the disclosure, the material and physical properties of the sensor substrate 121 are not particularly limited. For example, the sensor substrate 121 may be a rigid substrate composed of glass or tempered glass, or a flexible substrate composed of a thin film of plastic or metallic material. Further, according to an embodiment, at least one substrate (e.g., a display substrate 111, a package substrate, and/or a thin film package layer) constituting the display unit 110, at least one insulating layer disposed in the interior and/or on the outer surface of the display unit 110, a functional layer, and the like may be used as the sensor substrate 121.

The sensing area SA is set as an area capable of responding to a touch input (i.e., an effective area of the sensor SC). For this, a sensor SC for sensing a touch input or the like may be disposed in the sensing area SA. According to an embodiment, the sensor SC may comprise a first sensor TX and a second sensor RX.

For example, each of the first sensors TX may extend in the first direction DR1. The second sensor RX may extend in the second direction DR 2. The second direction DR2 may be different from the first direction DR1. For example, the second direction DR2 may be a direction crossing the first direction DR1. In another embodiment, the extending direction and the arrangement direction of the first sensor TX may follow a conventional configuration. Each of the first sensors TX may have a form in which a relatively large-area first cell and a relatively narrow-area first bridge may be connected. Further, in fig. 1, each of the first cells is shown as a diamond shape, but each of the first cells may be configured in various conventional shapes such as a circle, a quadrangle, a triangle, and a mesh form. For example, the first bridge may be integrally formed with the first unit at the same layer. In another embodiment, the first bridge may be formed at a layer different from that of the first unit, and adjacent first units may be electrically connected.

For example, each of the second sensors RX may extend in the second direction DR 2. The second sensor RX may be arranged in the first direction DR 1. In another embodiment, the extending direction and the arrangement direction of the second sensor RX may follow another conventional configuration. Each of the second sensors RX may have a form in which a relatively large-area second unit and a relatively narrow-area second bridge are connected. In fig. 1, each of the second cells is shown in a diamond shape, but may be configured in various conventional shapes such as a circle, a quadrangle, a triangle, and a mesh form. For example, the second bridge may be integrally formed with the second unit at the same layer. In another embodiment, the second bridge may be formed at a layer different from that of the second unit, and may electrically connect adjacent second units.

According to an embodiment, each of the first sensor TX and the second sensor RX may have conductivity, and include at least one of a metallic material, a transparent conductive material, and various other conductive materials. For example, the first and second sensors TX and RX may include at least one of various metal materials including gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), copper (Cu), and platinum (Pt), or an alloy thereof. At this time, the first sensor TX and the second sensor RX may be constructed in a mesh form. In addition, the first and second sensors TX and RX may include at least one of various transparent conductive materials including silver nanowire (AgNW), indium Tin Oxide (ITO), indium Zinc Oxide (IZO), indium Gallium Zinc Oxide (IGZO), antimony Zinc Oxide (AZO), indium Tin Zinc Oxide (ITZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), tin oxide (SnO ₂), carbon nanotube, graphene, etc. Further, the first sensor TX and the second sensor RX may have conductivity and include at least one of various conductive materials. In addition, each of the first sensor TX and the second sensor RX may be formed of a single layer or multiple layers, and the cross-sectional structure thereof is not particularly limited.

Meanwhile, sensor lines for electrically connecting the first and second sensors TX and RX to the sensor driver 220 and the like may be densely disposed in the peripheral area NSA of the sensor unit 120.

The driving circuit unit 20 may include a display driver 210 for driving the display unit 110 and a sensor driver 220 for driving the sensor unit 120. In an embodiment, the display driver 210 and the sensor driver 220 may be constructed of Integrated Chips (ICs) that are separated from each other. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the display driver 210 and the sensor driver 220 may be integrated together in one IC.

The display driver 210 is electrically connected to the display unit 110 to drive the pixels PX. For example, the display driver 210 may include a data driver and a timing controller, and the scan driver may be separately installed in the non-display area NDA of the display unit 110. In another embodiment, the display driver 210 may include all or at least a portion of a data driver, a timing controller, and a scan driver.

The timing controller included in the display driver 210 may control the data driver. For example, the timing controller may supply the control signal and the digital data to the data driver, and the data driver may convert the digital data into an analog data signal in response to the control signal and supply the analog data signal to the data line DL.

The sensor driver 220 is electrically connected to the sensor unit 120 to drive the sensor unit 120. The sensor driver 220 may include a touch controller, an oscillator, and the like.

The touch controller may supply a touch signal to the first sensor TX (and/or the second sensor RX) such that a touch may be sensed, and receive a sensing signal corresponding to the touch signal from the second sensor RX (and/or the first sensor TX). To this end, the touch controller may include a sensor transmitter for supplying a touch signal and a sensor receiver for receiving a sensing signal.

The oscillator may generate a clock signal inside the sensor driver 220. The touch controller may divide a clock signal supplied from the oscillator to generate various control signals. For example, the touch controller may divide the clock signal to generate the touch signal.

The application processor 30 may be included in the host 40 shown in fig. 2A and 2B, and may be electrically connected to the display driver 210 and the sensor driver 220. The application processor 30 may provide gray scale (data) and timing signals of the display frame period to the display driver 210. In addition, the application processor 30 may provide timing signals and firmware (firmware) to the sensor driver 220. The application processor 30 may correspond to at least one of a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Central Processing Unit (CPU), and an Application Processor (AP).

Fig. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a sensor driver and a host according to the disclosed embodiments. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the sensing unit shown in fig. 2A and 2B. In fig. 2A and 2B, only the configurations necessary for the disclosed description are shown.

Referring to fig. 2A and 2B, the host 40 (or device) may receive various information necessary to drive the panel 10 and the driving circuit unit 20, process the received information, and transmit the processed information to drive the driving circuit unit 20. To this end, the host 40 may include an application processor 30 and a first memory 34. The host 40 may also include various configurations (including a fingerprint sensor, a camera module, an antenna module, and a power module, not shown).

The application processor 30 and the sensor driver 220 may use the communication channel COM of the interface to send and receive data. Here, the interface may be a Display Serial Interface (DSI). For example, the interface may correspond to an MIPI interface and conform to the display serial interface specification of the MIPI alliance and the D-PHY specification of the MIPI alliance. However, this is an example, and the communication interface between the application processor 30 and the sensor driver 220 is not limited thereto.

For example, to transmit and receive data in accordance with the disclosed embodiments, the serial interface specification of the MIPI alliance may be partially modified. Alternatively, the interface may be configured as one of various serial high-speed interfaces supporting nHD (n-high definition) or higher definition high-definition images. The communication channel COM may have a channel (or pin) compliant with an interface standard.

The application processor 30 may supply the Reset signal Reset to the sensor driver 220 and receive the recovery signal RS from the sensor driver 220.

The Reset signal Reset may be supplied from the application processor 30 to the sensor driver 220 using a Reset channel different from the communication channel COM. The restoration signal RS may be supplied from the sensor driver 220 to the application processor 30 using a restoration channel different from the reset channel and the communication channel COM. The first terminal P11 may be installed in the host 40 (or the application processor 30), and the second terminal P12 may be installed in the sensor driver 220 corresponding to the restoration channel. The first terminal P11 and the second terminal P12 may be electrically connected and may serve as a recovery channel.

The restoration signal RS is supplied from the sensor driver 220 to the application processor 30 via a restoration channel. The restoration signal RS may be a signal indicating that the sensor driver 220 is in an abnormal state. For example, when the sensor driver 220 does not sense a touch input, the restoration signal RS may be generated.

The Reset signal Reset is supplied from the application processor 30 to the sensor driver 220 via a Reset channel. When the sensor driver 220 is abnormally driven, a Reset signal Reset may be supplied to the sensor driver 220.

The application processor 30 may receive an interrupt signal from the sensor driver 220 at regular periods via the communication channel COM. When the interrupt signal is abnormally input, the application processor 30 may supply a Reset signal Reset to the sensor driver 220. Further, when the restoration signal RS is input, the application processor 30 may supply the Reset signal Reset to the sensor driver 220. In an embodiment, the application processor 30 may supply the firmware stored in the first memory 34 to the second memory 224 of the sensor driver 220 after supplying the Reset signal Reset. That is, the application processor 30 may sequentially supply the Reset signal Reset and the firmware.

The application processor 30 may be connected to the sensor driver 220 (or the touch controller 222) through a communication channel COM, a reset channel, and a recovery channel that are separate from each other. The communication channel COM may provide a transmission path for various data between the application processor 30 and the sensor driver 220. The communication channel COM may include a plurality of channels corresponding to various interfaces.

The Reset channel may be used as a transmission path of the Reset signal Reset. In this case, the application processor 30 may transmit the Reset signal Reset to the sensor driver 220 through the Reset channel regardless of the priority of the data using the communication channel COM.

The recovery channel may be used as a transmission path of the recovery signal RS. In this case, the sensor driver 220 may transmit the restoration signal RS to the application processor 30 through the restoration channel regardless of the priority of the data using the communication channel COM.

Data necessary to drive the application processor 30 may be stored in the first memory 34. Further, firmware to be supplied to the sensor driver 220 may be stored in the first memory 34. For this purpose, the first memory 34 may be set as a nonvolatile flash memory.

As shown in fig. 2A, the first memory 34 is included in the host 40 and may be located external to the application processor 30, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in fig. 2B, the first memory 34 may be located inside the application processor 30. For example, the first memory 34 may be embedded in the application processor 30, e.g., the application processor 30 and the first memory 34 may be implemented as one IC or the like.

The application processor 30 may receive the restoration signal RS from the sensor driver 220 through the restoration channel. The application processor 30 receiving the recovery signal RS may supply a Reset signal Reset to the sensor driver 220 via a Reset channel. When the Reset signal Reset is supplied to the sensor driver 220, the sensor driver 220 may be initialized, and thus the sensor driver 220 may be Reset to an initial state.

After the sensor driver 220 is initialized, the firmware stored in the first memory 34 may be supplied to the second memory 224 included in the sensor driver 220. In an embodiment, the firmware stored in the second memory 224 may be supplied to the second memory 224 via the communication channel COM by the control of the application processor 30.

Sensor driver 220 may include a touch controller 222, a second memory 224, an oscillator 226, and a sensing unit 228. Here, at least one configuration among the second memory 224, the oscillator 226, and the sensing unit 228 may be embedded in the touch controller 222, for example, one of the second memory 224, the oscillator 226, and the sensing unit 228, and the touch controller 222 may be implemented as one IC or the like.

The oscillator 226 may generate a clock signal CLK to be used inside the sensor driver 220. When the clock signal is received from an oscillator provided outside the sensor driver 220, the oscillator 226 in the sensor driver 220 may be omitted.

The touch controller 222 may control the overall operation of the sensor driver 220. For example, the touch controller 222 may supply a touch signal to the first sensor TX and receive a sensing signal corresponding to the touch signal from the second sensor RX. The touch controller 222 may divide the clock signal CLK to generate various signals. For example, the touch controller 222 may divide the clock signal CLK to generate the touch signal.

The second memory 224 may store firmware supplied from the application processor 30. In addition, the second memory 224 may store various data necessary to drive the sensor driver 220. The second memory 224 may be set as a Random Access Memory (RAM) which is a volatile memory.

The sensing unit 228 may sense the internal voltage IV and/or the clock signal CLK of the sensor driver 220 and generate the restoration signal RS in response to the sensing result. The recovery signal RS generated by the sensing unit 228 may be supplied to the application processor 30 via a recovery channel.

As shown in fig. 3, the sensing unit 228 may include an internal voltage determiner 2282 and/or a clock signal determiner 2284.

The internal voltage determiner 2282 may sense the internal voltage IV of the sensor driver 220 and supply the restoration signal RS to the application processor 30 when the internal voltage IV is not within a predetermined range (or first range). Here, the internal voltage IV may include an operation voltage of the touch controller 222 and/or a voltage of the touch signal. For example, the internal voltage IV may include various voltages used internally by the sensor driver 220.

For example, when the operation voltage of the touch controller 222 is not within a predetermined range, the touch may not be normally sensed. For example, when the voltage of the touch signal is not within a predetermined range, the touch may not be sensed normally. Accordingly, when the internal voltage IV is not within the predetermined range, the internal voltage determiner 2282 may supply the restoration signal RS corresponding to the abnormal operation of the sensor driver 220 to the application processor 30.

In an embodiment, a first threshold value corresponding to a predetermined range of the internal voltage IV may be stored in the second memory 224. The first threshold value may include a lower limit value and an upper limit value of each of the internal voltages IV, and may be stored in the second memory 224 when storing firmware. To this end, the first threshold may be stored in the first memory 34 along with the firmware.

The clock signal determiner 2284 may sense the frequency of the clock signal CLK and supply the recovery signal RS to the application processor 30 when the frequency of the clock signal CLK is not within a predetermined range (or a second range). Here, the clock signal CLK is a signal for generating various signals (e.g., touch signals), and when the frequency of the clock signal CLK is not within a predetermined range, touches may not be sensed normally. Accordingly, the clock signal determiner 2284 may supply the recovery signal RS to the application processor 30 when the frequency of the clock signal CLK is not within a predetermined range.

In an embodiment, a second threshold value corresponding to a predetermined range of frequencies of the clock signal CLK may be stored in the second memory 224. The second threshold value may include an upper limit value and a lower limit value of the frequency of the clock signal CLK, and may be stored in the second memory 224 when storing firmware. To this end, the second threshold may be stored in the first memory 34 along with the firmware.

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation procedure of an application processor and a sensor driver according to a disclosed embodiment.

First, during an initialization operation, the firmware stored in the first memory 34, the first threshold value, and the second threshold value may be supplied to the second memory 224 under the control of the application processor 30. After the firmware, the first threshold value, and the second threshold value are stored in the second memory 224, the touch controller 222 may be driven by loading the firmware.

Referring to fig. 1 to 4, the panel 10 may display a predetermined image in response to a data signal supplied from the display driver 210. Further, the sensor driver 220 may sense a touch input while supplying a touch signal, and supply touch position information corresponding to the sensed signal to the application processor 30 using the communication channel COM. The application processor 30 may supply predetermined data corresponding to the touch position to the display driver 210, and may display predetermined information corresponding to the touch on the panel 10 in response to the predetermined data.

The sensor driver 220 may supply the interrupt signal IS to the application processor 30 at regular periods through the communication channel COM. When the interrupt signal IS input at regular periods, the application processor 30 may determine that the sensor driver 220 IS normally driven.

The sensing unit 228 may determine whether the internal voltage IV is abnormal using a first threshold value, and may determine whether the clock signal CLK is abnormal using a second threshold value. When it is determined that the internal voltage IV or the clock signal CLK is abnormal, the sensing unit 228 may supply the restoration signal RS to the application processor 30 using the restoration channel. The sensing unit 228 may sense the operation of the sensor driver 220 regardless of the interrupt signal IS, and thus may sense an abnormality of the sensor driver 220 in a short time.

The application processor 30 receiving the recovery signal RS may use a Reset channel to supply a Reset signal Reset to the touch controller 222. The touch controller 222 receiving the Reset signal Reset may initialize the sensor driver 220. For example, the touch controller 222 receiving the Reset signal Reset may restart. In this case, the data stored in the second memory 224, which is a volatile memory, may also be deleted.

The application processor 30 supplying the Reset signal Reset may transfer the firmware stored in the first memory 34, the first threshold value, and the second threshold value to the second memory 224 through the communication channel COM. The firmware, the first threshold, and the second threshold may then be stored in the second memory 224 (i.e., firmware update).

The touch controller 222 may load firmware stored in the second memory 224 and supply a signal (e.g., an OK signal) corresponding to the firmware to the application processor 30. Thereafter, the touch controller 222 may sense a touch input from the outside while being normally driven.

Meanwhile, the sensor driver 220 may not sense a touch input during the first period P1 from the time point when the restoration signal RS is supplied to the time point when the OK signal is supplied from the touch controller 222. However, the first period P1 may be set to a relatively short time, and discomfort of the user (or recognition of touch input abnormality by the user) may be minimized.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an operation procedure of the application processor and the sensor driver according to the comparative example. The comparative example of fig. 5 may indicate a case in which the sensing unit 228 and the restoration channel are omitted from the sensor driver 220 shown in fig. 2.

First, during an initialization operation, firmware stored in the first memory 34 may be supplied to the second memory 224 under the control of the application processor 30. After the firmware is stored in the second memory 224, the touch controller 222 may be driven by loading the firmware.

Referring to fig. 5, the panel 10 may display a predetermined image in response to a data signal supplied from the display driver 210. Further, the sensor driver 220 may sense a touch input while supplying a touch signal, and supply touch position information corresponding to the sensed signal to the application processor 30 using the communication channel COM. The application processor 30 may supply predetermined data corresponding to the touch position to the display driver 210, and may display predetermined information corresponding to the touch on the panel 10 in response to the predetermined data.

The sensor driver 220 may supply the interrupt signal IS to the application processor 30 at regular periods. When the interrupt signal IS input at regular periods, the application processor 30 may determine that the sensor driver 220 IS normally driven.

Meanwhile, after the supply interrupt signal IS, the sensor driver 220 may be abnormally driven. For example, a touch input may not be sensed due to an increase (or decrease) of the internal voltage IV of the sensor driver 220, a change in the frequency of the clock signal CLK, or the like.

Even if the sensor driver 220 does not sense the touch input until the next interrupt signal IS supplied (for example, until the second time point t2 a), the application processor 30 cannot sense whether the sensor driver 220 IS abnormal. In this case, no touch input is sensed between the first time point t1a and the second time point t2 a.

When the interrupt signal is not input at the second time point t2a, the application processor 30 may supply the Reset signal Reset to the touch controller 222 using the Reset channel. The touch controller 222 receiving the Reset signal Reset may initialize the sensor driver 220. For example, the touch controller 222 receiving the Reset signal Reset may restart. In this case, the data stored in the second memory 224, which is a volatile memory, may also be deleted.

The application processor 30 supplying the Reset signal Reset may transfer the firmware stored in the first memory 34 to the second memory 224 through the communication channel COM. The firmware may then be stored in the second memory 224.

The touch controller 222 may load the firmware stored in the second memory 224 and supply an OK signal corresponding to the firmware loaded to the application processor 30. Thereafter, the touch controller 222 may sense a touch input from the outside while being normally driven.

Meanwhile, the sensor driver 220 may not sense a touch input during a second period P2 from the first time point t1a to a second time point when an OK signal is supplied from the touch controller 222. The second period P2 may be set for a relatively long time, and thus may cause user discomfort (or the user recognizes the touch input abnormality).

Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation procedure of an application processor and a sensor driver according to a disclosed embodiment. When describing fig. 6, portions overlapping with those of fig. 4 are briefly described.

Referring to fig. 6, when it is determined that the internal voltage IV or the clock signal CLK is abnormal, the sensing unit 228 may supply the restoration signal RS to the application processor 30 using the restoration channel.

The application processor 30 receiving the recovery signal RS may use the communication channel COM to transfer the firmware stored in the first memory 34, the first threshold value, and the second threshold value to the second memory 224. The firmware, the first threshold, and the second threshold may then be stored in the second memory 224 (i.e., firmware update).

After the firmware is stored in the second memory 224, the touch controller 222 may load the firmware stored in the second memory 224. In this case, the touch controller 222 may sense a touch input from the outside while driving in a normal state.

For example, when the touch controller 222 is driven in a normal state, the internal voltage IV generated by the control of the touch controller 222 may have a desired voltage. For example, when the touch controller 222 is driven in a normal state, the clock signal CLK generated under the control of the touch controller 222 may have a desired frequency.

In the case of fig. 6, compared with fig. 4, a process of supplying the Reset signal Reset from the application processor AP to the sensor driver 220 may be omitted, and thus the touch input may not be sensed only during the third period P3 shorter than the first period P1. However, when the Reset signal Reset is not supplied, the sensor driver 220 may maintain an abnormal state.

Thus, in the disclosed embodiments, the embodiments of fig. 4 or 6 may be applied in response to an abnormal state of the sensor driver 220. For example, when the frequency of the clock signal CLK exceeds a predetermined range, the sensor driver 220 may be initialized by supplying a Reset signal Reset as shown in fig. 4. For example, when the internal voltage IV of the touch controller 222 exceeds a predetermined range, the firmware of the touch controller 222 may be reset without an initialization process as shown in fig. 6.

Meanwhile, in the disclosed embodiment, the sensing unit 228 may supply the Reset signal Reset to the application processor 30 at regular periods. In this case, the sensor driver 220 may be initialized at regular periods, and thus the reliability of the touch operation may be ensured.

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display unit and a display driver according to a disclosed embodiment.

Referring to fig. 7, the display driver 210 may include a timing controller 11 and a data driver 12, and the display unit 110 may include a scan driver 13 and an emission driver 15. However, as described above, whether each functional unit is integrated into one IC, integrated into a plurality of ICs, or mounted on the display substrate 111 (see fig. 1) may be variously configured according to the specification of the display apparatus 1.

The timing controller 11 may receive gray scale and timing signals for each display frame period from the application processor 30. The gray scale may be supplied in units of horizontal lines in each horizontal period. A horizontal line may refer to a row of pixels in which pixels connected to the same scan line are located.

The timing controller 11 may render gray scales to correspond to specifications of the display device 1 (or the pixel unit 14). For example, the application processor 30 may provide red gray, green gray, and blue gray for each cell point. For example, when the pixel unit 14 has an RGB stripe structure, pixels may correspond one-to-one to each gray scale. In this case, the rendering of the gray scale may be unnecessary. However, for example, when the pixel unit 14 hasIn the structure, since adjacent unit dots share pixels, the pixels may not correspond to each gray level one to one. In this case, the rendering of the gradation may be necessary. The rendered or unrendered gray scale may be provided to the data driver 12. Further, the timing controller 11 may supply a data control signal to the data driver 12. Further, the timing controller 11 may supply a scan control signal to the scan driver 13.

The data driver 12 may generate data signals to be supplied to the data lines DL1 to DLn (e.g., n is a natural number greater than 0) using the gray scale and the data control signals received from the timing controller 11.

The scan driver 13 may generate a scan signal to be supplied to the scan lines SL0 to SLm (e.g., m is a natural number greater than 0) using a clock signal, a scan start signal, etc., received from the timing controller 11. The scan driver 13 may sequentially supply a scan signal of a pulse having an on level to the scan lines SL0 to SLm. For example, the scan driver 13 may supply the scan signals of the on level to the scan lines SL0 to SLm in a period corresponding to the period of the horizontal synchronization signal during the effective period in which the gray scale is supplied. The scan driver 13 may include a scan stage constructed in the form of a shift register. The scan driver 13 may generate the scan signal in such a way that: the scan start signal in the form of a pulse as an on level is sequentially transmitted to the next scan stage under the control of the clock signal.

The emission driver 15 may generate an emission signal to be supplied to the emission lines EL1 to ELo (e.g., o is a natural number greater than 0) using an emission control signal (e.g., a clock signal, an emission stop signal, etc.) received from the timing controller 11. The emission driver 15 may sequentially supply an emission signal of the pulse having the off level to the emission lines EL1 to ELo. The transmit driver 15 may comprise a transmit stage constructed in the form of a shift register. The transmit driver 15 may generate the transmit signal in such a way that: the emission stop signal in the form of a pulse as a cut-off level is sequentially transmitted to the next emission stage according to the control of the clock signal.

The pixel unit 14 includes pixels. Each of the pixels may be connected to a corresponding data line and scan line. For example, the pixel PXij may be connected to the i-th scan line and the j-th data line. The pixels may include a pixel that emits light of a first color, a pixel that emits light of a second color, and a pixel that emits light of a third color. The first color, the second color, and the third color may be different colors. For example, the first color may be one of red, green, and blue, the second color may be one of red, green, and blue other than the first color, and the third color may be one of red, green, and blue other than the first color and the second color. Further, magenta, cyan, and yellow may be used instead of red, green, and blue as the first color to the third color.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a pixel according to a disclosed embodiment.

Referring to fig. 8, the pixel PXij includes transistors T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, and T7, a storage capacitor Cst, and a light emitting element LD.

Hereinafter, a circuit constituted by P-type transistors is described as an example. However, those skilled in the art will be able to design a circuit configured by an N-type transistor by distinguishing the polarity of the voltage applied to the gate terminal. Similarly, one skilled in the art will be able to design a circuit constructed from a combination of P-type and N-type transistors. The transistors may be configured in various forms such as Thin Film Transistors (TFTs), field Effect Transistors (FETs), and Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs).

The first transistor T1 may have a gate electrode connected to the first node N1, a first electrode connected to the second node N2, and a second electrode connected to the third node N3. The first transistor T1 may be referred to as a driving transistor.

The second transistor T2 may have a gate electrode connected to the scan line SLi1, a first electrode connected to the data line DLj, and a second electrode connected to the second node N2. The second transistor T2 may be referred to as a scan transistor.

The third transistor T3 may have a gate electrode connected to the scan line SLi2, a first electrode connected to the third node N3, and a second electrode connected to the first node N1. The third transistor T3 may be referred to as a diode-connected transistor.

The fourth transistor T4 may have a gate electrode connected to the scan line SLi3, a first electrode connected to the first node N1, and a second electrode connected to the initialization line INTL. The fourth transistor T4 may be referred to as a gate initialization transistor.

The fifth transistor T5 may have a gate electrode connected to the ith emission line ELi, a first electrode connected to the first power line ELVDDL, and a second electrode connected to the second node N2. The fifth transistor T5 may be referred to as a transmitting transistor.

The sixth transistor T6 may have a gate electrode connected to the ith emission line ELi, a first electrode connected to the third node N3, and a second electrode connected to the anode of the light emitting element LD. The sixth transistor T6 may be referred to as a transmitting transistor. In another embodiment, the gate electrode of the sixth transistor T6 may be connected to a different emission line from that connected to the gate electrode of the fifth transistor T5.

The seventh transistor T7 may have a gate electrode connected to the scan line SLi4, a first electrode connected to the initialization line INTL, and a second electrode connected to the anode of the light emitting element LD. The seventh transistor T7 may be referred to as a light emitting element initializing transistor.

A first electrode of the storage capacitor Cst may be connected to the first power line ELVDDL, and a second electrode of the storage capacitor Cst may be connected to the first node N1.

An anode of the light emitting element LD may be connected to the second electrode of the sixth transistor T6, and a cathode of the light emitting element LD may be connected to the second power line ELVSSL. The light emitting element LD may be a light emitting diode. The light emitting element LD may be configured of an organic light emitting element (organic light emitting diode), an inorganic light emitting element (inorganic light emitting diode), a quantum dot/well light emitting element (quantum dot/well light emitting diode), or the like. The light emitting element LD may emit light of any one of the first color, the second color, and the third color. Further, although only one light emitting element LD is provided in each pixel PXij in the present embodiment, a plurality of light emitting elements LD may be provided in each pixel PXij in another embodiment. In this case, the plurality of light emitting elements LD may be connected in series, parallel, series-parallel, or the like.

The first power line ELVDDL may be supplied with a first power voltage, the second power line ELVSSL may be supplied with a second power voltage, and the initialization line INTL may be supplied with an initialization voltage. For example, the first power voltage may be greater than the second power voltage. For example, the initialization voltage may be equal to or greater than the second power voltage. For example, the initialization voltage may correspond to a data signal of a minimum voltage among data signals that may be provided. In another example, the initialization voltage may be less than the voltage of the data signal that may be provided.

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating a method of driving the pixel of fig. 8.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the scanning lines SLi1, SLi2, and SLi4 are the i-th scanning line SLi, and the scanning line SLi3 is the i-1-th scanning line SL (i-1). However, according to the embodiment, the connection relationship of the scan lines SLi1, SLi2, SLi3, and SLi4 may be diversified. For example, the scan line SLi4 may be the i-1 th scan line SL (i-1) or the i+1 th scan line.

First, an emission signal having an off level (logic high level) is applied to the i-th emission line ELi, a DATA signal DATA (i-1) j for the i-1-th pixel is applied to the DATA line DLj, and a scan signal having an on level (logic low level) is applied to the scan line SLi3. The high/low logic level may vary depending on whether the transistor is P-type or N-type.

At this time, since the scan signal having the off level is applied to the scan lines SLi1 and SLi2, the second transistor T2 is turned off, and the DATA signal DATA (i-1) j is prevented from being input to the pixel PXij.

At this time, since the fourth transistor T4 is turned on, the first node N1 is connected to the initialization line INTL, and the voltage of the first node N1 is initialized. Since the emission signal having the off level is applied to the emission line ELi, the transistors T5 and T6 are turned off, and unnecessary light emission of the light emitting element LD according to the initialization voltage application process is prevented.

Next, the data signal DATAij of the i-th pixel PXij is applied to the data line DLj, and the scan signal having the on level is applied to the scan lines SLi1 and SLi2. Accordingly, the transistors T2, T1, and T3 are turned on, and the data line DLj and the first node N1 are electrically connected to each other. Accordingly, a compensation voltage obtained by subtracting the threshold voltage of the first transistor T1 from the data signal DATAij is applied to the second electrode (i.e., the first node N1) of the storage capacitor Cst, and the storage capacitor Cst maintains a voltage corresponding to a difference between the first power voltage and the compensation voltage. Such a period may be referred to as a threshold voltage compensation period or a data writing period.

Further, when the scanning line SLi4 is the i-th scanning line, since the seventh transistor T7 is turned on, the anode of the light emitting element LD and the initialization line INTL are connected to each other, and the light emitting element LD is initialized to an amount of charge corresponding to a voltage difference between the initialization voltage and the second power voltage.

Thereafter, when a transmission signal having an on level is applied to the ith transmission line ELi, the transistors T5 and T6 may be turned on. Accordingly, a current path connecting the first power line ELVDDL, the fifth transistor T5, the first transistor T1, the sixth transistor T6, the light-emitting element LD, and the second power line ELVSSL is formed.

The amount of driving current flowing to the first electrode and the second electrode of the first transistor T1 is adjusted according to the voltage held in the storage capacitor Cst. The light emitting element LD emits light at a luminance corresponding to the amount of driving current. The light emitting element LD emits light until an emission signal having a cut-off level is applied to the emission line ELi.

When the emission signal is at an on level, the pixel PXij receiving the corresponding emission signal may be in a display state. Therefore, a period in which the transmission signal is at the on level may be referred to as a transmission period EP (or transmission permission period). Further, when the emission signal is at the off level, the pixel PXij receiving the corresponding emission signal may be in a non-display state. Therefore, a period in which the transmission signal is at the off level may be referred to as a non-transmission period NEP (or transmission non-permission period).

The non-emission period NEP described with reference to fig. 4 is for preventing the pixel PXij from emitting light having undesired brightness during the initialization period and the data writing period.

One or more non-emission periods NEP (e.g., one frame period) may be additionally provided while maintaining data written to the pixel PXij. This can be used to effectively represent a low gray scale by reducing the emission period EP of the pixel PXij or to smoothly blur the motion of an image.

Although the disclosure has been described with reference to the disclosed embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various corrections and modifications can be made to the disclosure within the scope without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as described in the claims.

Claims (10)

1. A display device, the display device comprising:

A sensor driver that receives firmware from a host in which the firmware is stored, the sensor driver comprising:

A second memory storing the firmware supplied from the host, and the sensor driver is initialized when a reset signal is supplied from the host, and

And a sensing unit for supplying a restoration signal corresponding to an abnormal state of the sensor driver to the host while sensing at least one of an internal voltage and a clock signal of the sensor driver.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the resume signal is supplied from the sensor driver to an application processor provided in the host through a resume channel, and

Wherein the recovery channel comprises:

A first terminal included in the host and receiving the restoration signal; and

A second terminal included in the sensor driver, and outputting the restoration signal.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the host includes an application processor that sequentially supplies the reset signal and the firmware to the sensor driver when the resume signal is input.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the host includes an application processor that supplies the firmware to the sensor driver when the resume signal is input.

5. The display device of claim 1, wherein the host includes a first memory, the first memory being a nonvolatile memory, and

Wherein the second memory is a volatile memory.

6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the sensing unit includes:

An internal voltage determiner for receiving the internal voltage and generating the restoration signal when the internal voltage is not within a first range; and

A clock signal determiner for receiving the clock signal and generating the recovery signal when the frequency of the clock signal is not within a second range; and

Wherein a first threshold value corresponding to the first range and a second threshold value corresponding to the second range are stored in the second memory; and

Wherein the first threshold value and the second threshold value are stored in a first memory in which the firmware is stored and supplied to the second memory together with the firmware.

7. The display device of claim 1, wherein the host comprises an application processor, the application processor comprising a first memory.

8. The display device of claim 1, wherein the reset signal is supplied via a reset channel.

9. The display device of claim 1, wherein the host includes an application processor that uses a communication channel to supply the firmware stored in a first memory in the host to the second memory.

10. The display device of claim 1, wherein the sensor driver further comprises a touch controller that generates a touch signal by dividing the clock signal.